Objection! Judge Judy Sues Conn. Lawyer For Using Her Image In TV Ads

Judge Judy Sheindlin and Judge Jerry Sheindlin attend the USC Shoah Foundation Institute 2013 Ambassadors for Humanity gala at the American Museum of Natural History on October 3, 2013 in New York. (credit: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for the USC Shoah Foundation Institute)

Judge Judy Sheindlin and Judge Jerry Sheindlin attend the USC Shoah Foundation Institute 2013 Ambassadors for Humanity gala at the American Museum of Natural History on October 3, 2013 in New York. (credit: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for the USC Shoah Foundation Institute)

HARTFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) – Television’s Judge Judy is stepping out from behind the bench to file a lawsuit against a Hartford-based personal injury attorney.

Judge Judith Sheindlin has filed suit accusing lawyer John Haymond of using her image in advertisements without her permission.

The lawsuit filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court seeks more than $75,000 in damages Haymond and his firm.

Haymond’s office said he was away on vacation and not immediately available to comment.

In a statement, Judge Judy said she had never filed a lawsuit against anyone but the use of her image is “outrageous” and she feels it requires action.

The lawsuit said Haymond’s firm aired advertisements in Connecticut and Massachusetts that uses footage from “Judge Judy” along with clips showing Haymond and his daughters.

Sheindlin is a retired Family Court judge and has been the star of “Judge Judy” for 18 years. Last spring, she extended her contract through 2017.